soft doesn’t save? Many millions of people have been saved under ‘soft sermons’ and many millions have been saved under ‘hell fire and brimstone sermons’
The apostles used both- some churches had ot be taught forcefully- some not so much- It is not the preacher that moves the heart- it is the Holy spirit and only the holy Spirit- to suggest that pounding home the message enables the Holy Spirit to be more effective is almost claiming that it is the pastor or preacher’s technique that ‘fires up the Holy spirit to move a congregation’
The above preacher rips on folks like David Jeremiah- but the fact is that people listen to him, Grow in the Lord- become effective witnesses with wish help, and help to spread the word in the communities and workplaces- and a great many people get saved outside of the church as a result-
Effective preaching is not about technique- Effective preaching doesn’t always mean a congregation has to break down and weep, shout, sing in joyous rapturous emotional states of joy and thanksgiving- Effective preaching is also done in quiet churches that are quietly going about the Lord’s business all through the week, having been blessed By God through the sermons they heard-
There is a time and place and season for everything- and the spirit listeth where it will
Some people need comforting messages- some need to hear podium pounding hell fire and brimstone messages-
Some new Christians need to be nurtured comfortingly, some need to be confronted and chastised for wrongs in order to keep moving forward- Some folks need the excitement of a podium pounding preacher, some need to hear from a preacher who is gentler- but ALL need to hear from a man of God who enables him to preach the message as God would have it presented-
Many years ago- there was a church in town that didn’t peach salvation, but there were a number of saved folks there- and I knew of one in particular, and I asked someone oneday how such a person could go to such a church- the answer was simply “The spirit listeth where It Will” and it was explained that the woman who attended that church as a Christian was playing a vital role in leading the other congregates to Christ despite the fact that the preacher wouldn’t preach a salvation message-
I was being judgmental about the woman professing to be a Christian while attending a church like that- but it was a humbling AND comforting experience ot have it pointed out to me that I was being wrongfully judgmental - comforting because it was encouraging to learn that the Spirit does work in mysterious ways, and can even use propel in churches that don’t preach a true gospel to reach the lost souls there- I still tend towards judgmental ism, but I do try not to be- as I’ve learned that it is not my blueprint God uses for saving others- but it’s all His work- and He will and does work wherever He will However He decides He should
Idleman says here.....
I’ve heard sermons from many postmodern and emerging leaders, and I’ve heard countless sermons from people such as John Piper, James MacDonald, Alistair Begg, Paul Washer, David Jeremiah, Jack Graham, John MacArthur, Ravi Zacharias, and so on; it’s amazing to hear the difference. The former speak as “advocates”—dialoguing, discussing, and pondering everything; the later speak as “witnesses” overcome by the magnificent power of God’s Word. Authority matters!
Actually, he doesn't. I thought so too at first but reread what he said and realized I had not read carefully.
He supports people like David Jeremiah.
I think that the point he's trying to get is that we need to take an uncompromising stand about the truths of Scripture.
Preaching that God loves you is not, necessarily *soft* preaching. The examples of post modern and the emergent church are about outlooks that downplay the judgment of God and do a squishy gospel that doesn't give the WHOLE truth about God, us, and our need for salvation.
Coming to Jesus because of what He can do for you or that someone promises He will wants to prosper you is coming for the wrong reason and while I think that some people may be saved in that, I also am concerned that a lot of people are led to believe they have a right relationship with God when they don't.